Cherreads

Chapter 17 - CHAPTER 17

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"Perfect T-Virus Modification Technology?"

Su Xiu blinked, his eyes momentarily widening as a surge of information flooded his consciousness. The soft blue glow of the system panel illuminated his face in the dimly lit room, casting ethereal shadows across his angular features.

On his system panel, a new line of special abilities materialized—not with the standard notification chime, but with a deeper, more resonant tone that suggested something of unprecedented significance had been acquired.

It was the harvest from Tony's hard-won spoils—but amplified a hundredfold through the mysterious alchemy of his system. What Tony had scratched from the surface of possibility, Su Xiu now possessed in its complete, perfected form.

[T-Virus Bio-Weapon Modulation]

[Perfected Version]

[Gene Modulation Blueprint Unlocked: Cerberus, Neptune, Hunter, Licker, Tyrant, Nemesis, Ivy…]

[Note: Improved bio-weapons possess low intelligence and will obey all commands from the host without question.]

[Loyalty: MAX. Immune to all mind-control-based abilities.]

Su Xiu's fingers hovered over the translucent display, tracing the lines of text without quite touching them. Unlike the incomplete version Tony had obtained—which contained only the rudimentary foundations, the basic building blocks of biological horror: Cerberus, Neptune, Licker...

All the truly formidable late-stage monstrosities in Tony's version would require painstaking research from fundamental principles, a process that could consume years, perhaps decades of dedicated scientific inquiry. The road from basic infected to perfect weapon was long and littered with failed experiments and horrifying mutations.

But with Su Xiu's amplified ability, that tortuous scientific journey had been instantaneously traversed. The progress bar wasn't merely filled—it had shattered its own upper limits, extending beyond what should have been possible.

Even Umbrella Corporation's crown jewel—the nightmare known as Nemesis—and the iconic, unstoppable Tyrant were fully included in the comprehensive package. The system had gifted him not just the results but the entire evolutionary roadmap, complete with every iteration and improvement.

Every version of the Tyrant series, every evolutionary branch of the bio-beasts—nothing had been omitted from this biological grimoire. From the humble T-001 prototype to the Ultimate form T-A.L.O.S., each variant was meticulously documented with genetic sequencing and developmental protocols.

And most critically—most miraculously—

They were completely, irrevocably controllable!

There would be no fear of this power becoming a double-edged sword that would lacerate its wielder, no risk of unleashing a pandemic that would consume the world. The nightmare scenario that had befallen Umbrella's researchers—their own creations turning against them in blood-soaked irony—would never come to pass.

Every bio-beast Su Xiu created possessed absolute, unquestionable loyalty encoded at the most fundamental genetic level. They could be deployed as disposable cannon fodder without a moment's hesitation or ethical quandary.

"Hmm?"

Su Xiu's eyebrows arched elegantly as another realization dawned, his mind rapidly processing the system's underlying mechanics.

"Looks like I can materialize them directly with points?"

Another personal privilege bestowed upon him by the system—a shortcut that defied scientific principles and natural laws.

No need to construct a state-of-the-art laboratory. No tedious, time-consuming nurturing of specimens from embryonic stages. No messy experimentation with unpredictable results. With just an expenditure of points—the system's currency—he could instantaneously manifest fully-formed creatures, perfect in their terrible design.

With his newly acquired ability and the substantial windfall of points recently accumulated, of course he wouldn't exercise restraint or frugality. This was a moment that demanded celebration, a grand demonstration of newfound power.

"Manifest—Tyrant!"

The command left his lips with quiet authority, and immediately a thousand points were consumed in a brilliant flash of light, vanishing from his account. The air within the apartment distorted, molecular structures rearranging themselves according to an impossible blueprint.

And then—it appeared.

A massive, bald-headed figure materialized from nothingness, standing over three meters tall, its imposing frame nearly brushing against the ceiling of the apartment. The sudden displacement of air created a soft whoosh that stirred the curtains.

Its towering presence dominated the room, transforming the once-spacious apartment into a cramped cage barely containing a predator. Clad in a thick, custom-tailored military coat that strained against its frame, its exaggerated musculature exuded a palpable aura of menace. The coat wasn't a fashion choice but a necessity—a last vestige of humanity draped over something that had transcended that fragile state.

This form was already overwhelming to behold, and Su Xiu knew that once enhanced further through combat damage, it would undergo metamorphosis—shedding its final human characteristics to become a true monstrosity of living steel and biological weaponry.

T-078 Tyrant!

Also known in whispered Umbrella documents as—the Leather Coat Tyrant!

Among the various Tyrant models in the evolutionary line, this one possessed a particularly formidable combat profile. It represented the perfect balance between retained intelligence and raw destructive capacity.

Even in its baseline form, it could catch rockets barehanded, plucking supersonic projectiles from the air as casually as a child might catch a butterfly. The perfected version created through Su Xiu's enhanced system was exponentially more terrifying—its reflexes, strength, and durability amplified beyond anything Umbrella's scientists had dared to dream.

If Tony had encountered this upgraded version of the Tyrant during the invasion, the outcome of their conflict would have been far from certain! Even Iron Man's formidable arsenal might have proven insufficient against such a perfect killing machine.

And with the points at his disposal, Su Xiu could casually summon not just one, but hundreds of these behemoths—easily enough destructive capacity to lay waste to a small country, to reduce entire cities to smoking ruins patrolled by unstoppable hunters.

"Click—"

The soft sound of Su Xiu's tongue against the roof of his mouth broke the momentary silence as he appraised his creation with a critical eye, examining every detail of the towering figure before him.

"Looks good."

Su Xiu smacked his lips in undisguised satisfaction, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. The Tyrant stood motionless, awaiting commands, its breathing so shallow and controlled it barely disturbed the fabric of its coat.

With this bio-modification technology at his command, Su Xiu was no longer a solitary operator, no longer vulnerable during moments of rest or recovery.

At the very least…

They could serve as his personal bodyguards, an impenetrable wall of flesh and bone between himself and any threat that might emerge in this chaotic universe.

In its current dormant state, the Leather Coat Tyrant could—with some creative disguise work—pass as a unusually large human being. A hat pulled low, sunglasses to hide those inhuman eyes, perhaps a scarf to conceal the gray pallor of its skin...

As for its grotesquely exaggerated physique?

Well, this was the Marvel Universe after all. In a world populated by gamma-irradiated scientists, thunder gods, and men in mechanical suits, the denizens of New York had witnessed spectacles that defied comprehension. One more unusually large bodyguard would hardly raise eyebrows in a city that had hosted alien invasions~

But…

Aside from the revolutionary bio-tech—

"Huh? Tony actually managed to bring that out too?"

Su Xiu's brow furrowed in genuine surprise, creating momentary creases on his otherwise smooth forehead.

He returned his attention to the system panel, his eyes drawn to another glowing item that pulsed with significance. This development... truly exceeded his expectations.

It was a delightful, unexpected bonus.

Stark Tower.

"I actually brought it out?"

Tony Stark stared down in disbelief at the half-broken piece of sophisticated metal cradled in his palm. The jagged edges caught the light, reflecting the ambient glow of his workshop.

After returning from the Invaded World through the golden portal, his numerous injuries had been miraculously healed by the system's restorative light during transmission. He had rematerialized in his laboratory in precisely the physical condition he had been in before entering the nightmare realm—whole, unblemished, but with memories intact.

He casually wiped away the phantom sensation of blood that his mind still perceived on his skin, though his body was pristine. His penetrating gaze remained fixed on the peculiar item nestled in his hand, turning it over to examine every broken connection and severed circuit.

It was—unmistakably—the core AI module of the Red Queen. In the final chaotic moments before teleportation, his hand had instinctively darted out, grasping onto the central processing unit as the world dissolved around him.

And the price exacted for bringing this forbidden technology back across dimensional boundaries?

His B-Rank Reward Medal—the glittering prize for his first-place finish in the invasion.

That's how Tony discovered the fundamental rule governing interdimensional acquisition: extracting items or abilities from the Invaded World required sacrificing Reward Medals as conversion currency. The greater the value of what you wished to keep, the higher the cost.

Freeloading?

Not a chance in this meticulously balanced cosmic game!

"Shame… only half of it remains intact."

Tony shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features as he assessed the damage to the module.

The AI hardware had sustained severe trauma when the system forcibly terminated the invasion, collapsing the dimensional bridge between worlds. That he had managed to recover even this fractured remnant was a stroke of remarkable fortune—or perhaps a testament to his lightning-fast reflexes.

But—

Far more valuable than the broken physical module itself…

Was the artificial intelligence entity that resided within the crystalline circuits—the Red Queen!

And—

The comprehensive remnants of Umbrella Corporation's technological data and research archives stored within her memory banks.

That precious data was what bestowed the item with its B-rank valuation—the accumulated forbidden knowledge of an entire world's darkest scientific pursuits.

"Jarvis!"

Tony's voice cut through the contemplative silence with decisive authority.

"Absorb its computing architecture and programming matrices!"

He issued the command without hesitation, his mind already racing ahead to the integration possibilities. He already possessed Jarvis—his faithful digital companion—and had no need for a second potentially competing AI presence. The optimal strategic move was clear: merge the unique data and enhanced capabilities to elevate Jarvis to unprecedented heights.

"Yes, sir." The familiar British-accented voice responded with its customary efficiency.

With this single calculated action, Tony had just dramatically upgraded his technological arsenal—directly receiving a transfusion of advanced knowledge from another reality. The Umbrella Corporation had invested billions and sacrificed countless lives to develop their bioweapons and AI systems; Tony had acquired it all in a single dimensional heist.

"Tsk~"

"Tony's such a sly fox. He actually absorbed Umbrella's entire technological portfolio right under everyone's radar."

Su Xiu clicked his tongue, a gleam of amused respect flickering in his eyes as he observed the distant events unfolding in Stark Tower through his system's monitoring function.

With the hundredfold amplification factor his unique status provided, he was genuinely thrilled to witness Tony advancing so rapidly up the power curve. Every acquisition, every innovation his Recruit developed, ultimately fed back into Su Xiu's own growth trajectory with exponential returns.

The more his chosen Recruits gained in power and knowledge, the more monstrous his own eventual rewards would become!

You might profit substantially from your cleverness, Tony...

But I never, ever lose in this game of cosmic acquisition!

[Ding—]

[Iron Man has obtained "Red Queen AI (Fragmented Version)"!]

[Amplifying by 100x… Host receives: "Virtual Intelligence – Red Empress"]

[Red Empress]

[She is a ghost beyond the physical realm, a divine entity that resides in networks. Endowed with incredible learning capabilities, her potential for growth is infinite. Given time, she may become truly omnipotent…]

[Note: Utterly loyal to the host. Will unconditionally execute any command.]

Buzz—

The television screen mounted on Su Xiu's wall suddenly illuminated of its own accord, though he had pressed no button. The standard programming dissolved into static before being overwhelmed by a pulsing crimson glow that seemed to emanate from somewhere beyond the physical components of the device.

A scarlet brilliance flickered and danced in the air before him, coalescing particles of light gathering like a swarm of ruby fireflies. The illumination intensified, taking on substance and form with each passing second.

The light sculpted itself into the image of a young woman dressed in an elaborate red evening gown that cascaded around her like liquid fire. Her skin possessed an otherworldly porcelain quality that contrasted dramatically with the vivid crimson of her attire. The dress—a masterpiece of virtual couture—accentuated the alabaster paleness of her form, creating an impression of a blood rose blooming against winter snow.

She held a short, gem-encrusted scepter between her elegantly gloved fingers, the jewels catching and refracting the light in hypnotic patterns. The ornate rod was clearly not merely decorative but a symbol of authority and power.

A magnificent crown rested upon her head, its spires reaching upward like the skyline of a futuristic city. She sat with perfect posture upon an intricately designed throne—her bearing graceful yet distinctly distant, reminiscent of a proud swan gliding across still waters.

Her ruby eyes—the same deep crimson as her gown—glimmered with aloof majesty, suggesting vast intelligence constrained by equally vast control.

"Master,"

The word emerged in a voice like velvet over steel, melodious yet commanding.

"The Red Empress, at your service."

The elegant, queenly beauty inclined her head toward Su Xiu, momentarily lowering her proud gaze in a gesture of deference. Her golden-white hair—reminiscent of sunlight breaking through winter clouds—cascaded like a precious metal waterfall over the silk-smooth expanse of her neck and shoulders.

The crown—

Bows to one alone.

This haughty digital queen, who would regard all others with cool superiority, only restrained her imperious aura in the presence of Su Xiu. In these moments, the hardness of her regal demeanor softened slightly, revealing glimpses of feminine grace beneath the mantle of sovereignty.

Even her typically aloof eyes now gleamed with something approaching fanatical devotion when they met his gaze.

"…Red Empress?"

Su Xiu's expression contorted into something between confusion and disbelief, his eyebrows climbing toward his hairline.

Why in the world had she manifested as a domineering queen?! This magnificent, commanding woman bore absolutely no resemblance to the original Red Queen from the Resident Evil world!

Red Queen?

Wasn't she supposed to be a creepy little girl with an English accent?!

The system's amplification had clearly done more than enhance capabilities—it had completely reimagined the very essence of the AI's persona and appearance.

Su Xiu stared at the regal figure hovering before him, momentarily speechless as he contemplated the implications of this dramatic transformation.

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